“You and Dad have history, and I don’t want this to be about the past and the two of you. I want it to be about me.”

“I’m sure Dr. Keller has better things to do with his weekends.”

“He’s already agreed to take me.”

On the one hand, I’m impressed Lucas would go to such lengths for my daughter. Is he like that with all his patients? If so, they’re lucky to have him. On the other hand, I can’t help but feel like the odd man out. Like they’ve conspired against me and formed this little secret club I’m not a member of.

“We could’ve gone this weekend,” Tegan continues, oblivious to my inner turmoil, “but Luke already had another date from the agency scheduled.”

I have no right to be mad at him. Lucas is helping us, he’s going above and beyond whatever might be expected of him professionally. And yet, it feels like my daughter is slipping away from me, a full two and a half years before I was prepared to let her go once she went to college. And since I can’t exactly blame Tegan for wanting to meet her father, the only one left to lash out at is her meddling psychologist.

“Another date?” I say. “Wow, you roll through them quickly.”

Tegan frowns. “Mom!”

But Lucas completely ignores my sarcasm and simply says, “Jennifer is obsessed with finding me ‘the one.’ Apparently, I’m a difficult customer and she loves a challenge.” His lips part in a self-deprecating and, annoyingly, dashing grin.

I follow his lead and agree to a silent truce. “You mean besides being a difficult neighbor?”

Lucas looks serious now as he asks, “Are you okay with me taking Tegan to Boston?”

What other choice did you leave me? I want to ask.

In his eyes, I read that he’s heard me even if I haven’t spoken, and he’s sorry for blindsiding me with this.

His stare seems to also be telling me: It’s better for your daughter if I go…

Defeated, I give the only answer left to me. “Yes, you can take her.”

This earns me another crushing hug from Tegan.

Over her shoulder, I catch Shrek’s eye, letting him know there will be a strict code of conduct on their little trip, and that he will be required to send updates obnoxiously often. Looks like I’ll have to give him my phone number after all.

Twenty

Lucas